Houston City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Houston Courthouse Wedding Special

Houston gives you something most cities don’t when it comes to courthouse weddings: choices. Instead of one venue and one ceremony format, Harris County offers three distinct locations, each with a different setting, price point, and guest policy. The Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse runs structured city ceremonies with Saturday availability. Harris County Probate Court No. 1 offers courtroom ceremonies in three languages with no guest cap. And the historic 1910 Harris County Courthouse at 301 Fannin Street provides a landmark backdrop for couples who want something with more character.

The financial flexibility is just as strong. Active-duty military members, veterans, and first responders can have their ceremony performed for free at Probate Court No. 1. For everyone else, the Twogether in Texas premarital education course (available 100% online) cuts $60 from your marriage license fee and waives the 72-hour waiting period. That single step drops a Texas resident’s license cost from $81 to roughly $21, bringing your total courthouse wedding cost as low as $121.

Texas doesn’t require state residency to get a marriage license here, so couples from out of state are welcome. The tradeoff: non-residents pay $181 for the license instead of $81. Texas also doesn’t require witnesses at the ceremony, which simplifies logistics if you’re planning a small, private courthouse wedding with just the two of you.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at a Houston Courthouse

1. Complete the Twogether in Texas course (optional but strongly recommended). This is your single best planning move for a Houston courthouse wedding. The premarital education course is available fully online and takes a few hours. It saves $60 on your Harris County marriage license fee and eliminates the 72-hour waiting period, letting you get your license and marry the same day. If you skip the course, you’ll need to wait three full days between getting your license and having your ceremony.

2. Apply for your marriage license in person. Both partners must appear together at any of the 11 Harris County Clerk locations across the Houston metro area. No appointment is needed. Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both of you (driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card). If either of you has been divorced, your divorce must have been finalized at least 30 days before applying (per Texas Family Code Section 6.802).

3. Wait 72 hours (unless waived). The waiting period starts the moment your license is issued. Three things waive it: completing the Twogether in Texas course, presenting active-duty military ID, or obtaining a court order from a judge. If you completed the course in step 1, you skip this entirely.

4. Book your courthouse ceremony. Call to schedule at the venue of your choice. Municipal Courts: 713-247-5464. Probate Court: 832-927-1401. Saturday ceremony slots at Municipal Courts fill up, so book as soon as you have your license. Pre-scheduling is strongly recommended at all venues.

5. Arrive on your wedding day. Get to the courthouse 30 to 45 minutes early. Downtown Houston traffic and courthouse security screening take time. Bring your marriage license and valid photo IDs for both partners. Rings are optional.

6. Have your ceremony. Your courthouse wedding ceremony takes about 10 to 15 minutes. At Municipal Courts and Probate Court, a judge or officiant is provided. At the 1910 Courthouse, you’ll need to arrange your own officiant.

7. File your signed marriage license. After the ceremony, the officiant signs your marriage license. Return the signed license to the Harris County Clerk’s Office for official recording. Request certified copies of your marriage certificate (approximately $12.50 per copy; confirm the current fee with the Clerk’s Office). You’ll need certified copies for name changes with the Social Security Administration, then your driver’s license, then banks and other accounts.

Harris County Marriage License Details

What You Need to Bring

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver’s license, Texas DPS ID, U.S. or foreign passport, military ID, resident alien card, or U.S. citizenship certificate with photo)
• No blood test or physical exam required
• If previously divorced: proof that your divorce was finalized at least 30 days before applying
• Twogether in Texas course certificate (if using for the fee discount and waiting period waiver)

Marriage License Fees

Payment accepted: cash, credit card, or money order.

Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Houston

Any of the 11 Harris County Clerk locations across the Houston metro area. Both partners must appear in person. No appointment is needed, and you can walk in during regular business hours.

Validity and Waiting Period

Your Harris County marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in Texas, not just Houston.

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before your ceremony can take place. This waiting period can be waived by:

1. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course (available fully online)
2. Presenting active-duty military ID
3. Obtaining a court order from a judge for good cause

Both partners must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent in Texas.

Houston Courthouse Ceremony Details

Option 1: Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse

Best for: Couples wanting a structured, city-operated ceremony with weekend availability.

Pre-scheduling is strongly recommended. Do not assume walk-in availability.

Option 2: Harris County Probate Court No. 1

Best for: Military families, couples who want more guests, or couples needing French-language ceremonies.

The free courthouse wedding ceremony for military members, veterans, and first responders is a genuine benefit. If you or your partner qualifies, this is the most affordable way to get married in Houston.

Option 3: 1910 Harris County Courthouse

Best for: Couples who want a historic landmark setting for their wedding.

Verification note: This venue has limited confirmation in our research sources. We recommend contacting the courthouse directly to confirm current availability, ceremony policies, and any associated fees before building your plans around this location.

Photography and Guest Tips for Houston Courthouse Weddings

Guest Limits by Venue

Plan your headcount carefully based on your chosen venue:

• Municipal Courts: 10 people maximum. Your photographer counts as one of the 10. If you hire a photographer, you have room for 7 guests plus the two of you.
• Probate Court: No stated guest cap. Friends and family are welcome.
• 1910 Courthouse: Not specified. Contact the courthouse directly to confirm.

Best Photo Spots Near Houston Courthouses

Downtown Houston offers strong options for wedding portraits after your courthouse ceremony:

• Buffalo Bayou Park: Popular for outdoor wedding portraits with the Houston skyline in the background. A short drive from the downtown courthouses.
• Discovery Green: An urban green space near the courthouses with landscaped gardens and water features. Walking distance from Municipal Courts.
• Downtown Houston murals and architecture: Urban backdrops, colorful murals, and distinctive buildings within walking distance of all three ceremony venues.

Hiring a photographer who knows downtown Houston well pays off. They’ll know which spots have the best light at different times of day and how to work around construction zones or heavy foot traffic.

Practical Tips for Your Houston Courthouse Wedding

Take the Twogether in Texas course before you do anything else. It saves you $60 on the marriage license fee, waives the 72-hour waiting period, and lets you plan your entire courthouse wedding in a single trip to Houston. The course is available fully online and takes just a few hours.

Book Saturday ceremony slots early. Saturday ceremonies at Municipal Courts cost $50 more than weekday ceremonies ($150 vs. $100) and fill up faster. Weekday afternoons between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM are your window at Municipal Courts.

Plan for Houston’s heat. If you’re getting married between May and October, the heat and humidity are intense. Bring water, a portable fan, and touch-up supplies for your makeup. If you’re taking outdoor wedding photos after your ceremony, schedule them for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun.

Budget time for parking and security. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your courthouse ceremony. Downtown parking can be challenging, and security screening at government buildings adds time. Look for parking garages near your specific venue.

Dress for the occasion and the climate. Courthouse ceremonies happen in a formal government setting. There’s no dress code, but couples typically wear smart attire. Choose breathable fabrics if you’re getting married during Houston’s warmer months.

Confirm all fees and policies before your visit. The fees and hours listed here were verified in March 2026. Government offices update their pricing periodically. Check harriscountyclerk.org and houstontx.gov for the most current information before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get our Houston marriage license and have the ceremony on the same day?

Only if you’ve completed the Twogether in Texas premarital education course or present active-duty military ID. Without a waiver, Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between getting your marriage license and having your courthouse ceremony. The Twogether in Texas course is available fully online and also saves $60 on your license fee.

How much does a Houston courthouse wedding cost in total?

For Texas residents who complete the Twogether in Texas course, the minimum total is about $121 ($21 license + $100 weekday ceremony). Without the course, a weekday ceremony costs $181 total ($81 license + $100 ceremony). Saturday ceremonies at Municipal Courts run $231 ($81 + $150). Non-residents pay $100 more for the marriage license. Military members, veterans, and first responders pay only the license fee, since Probate Court performs their ceremony for free.

Do we need witnesses at our Houston courthouse wedding?

No. Texas law does not require witnesses at a marriage ceremony. You can bring guests if you want, but they’re not legally required to be present.

Are Houston courthouse wedding ceremonies available in languages other than English?

Yes. Municipal Courts offer ceremonies in English and Spanish. Probate Court No. 1 offers ceremonies in English, Spanish, and French, and welcomes translators for any other language you need.

Planning a city hall wedding in another state? Check out our guides for New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit city hall weddings.